The work aims to introduce the antibacterial mechanism, characteristics and application in food packaging of sodium alginate-based antibacterial composite materials. The film formation mechanism of sodium alginate, the antibacterial mechanism of nano-zinc oxide, and the antibacterial properties of the inorganic functional material hydrotalcite with a special layered structure were mainly expounded. The combination of hydrotalcite and zinc oxide was used to enhance the antibacterial properties to explore the mechanical, barrier and antibacterial packaging properties of sodium alginate/hydrotalcite/nano-zinc oxide composite membrane system made of sodium alginate. Food green packaging materials have attracted much attention in real life. Combining sodium alginate, an environmentally friendly material of complete biodegradation, good biocompatibility and thermal stability, with hydrotalcite-zinc oxide antibacterial agent to enhance comprehensive performance of the antibacterial composite material is in line with the trend of research and development of new antibacterial materials at home and abroad.